Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island Connects with Public Art Works to Display Work

Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island, the state’s leader in hospice and palliative care since 1976, has initiated a project to feature the work of Rhode Island artists within its new facility at 1085 North Main St., Providence.

For this project, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island will work with Public Art Works, a group of professional Rhode Island-based artists working together to promote and encourage art in public spaces. The oil paintings of Barrington artist Deborah Baronas kicks off the project and will be displayed at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island for the next four months.

“Just as it’s said that art can enhance life, speak to the soul, spark memories and help us express emotion, these art exhibitions can help us further our mission to provide for the spiritual and emotional well-being of our patients and their families, even as we provide physical care,” said Diana Franchitto, Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island president/CEO. “We’ll also be promoting a sense of community and helping local artists by showing their work.”

Baronas is a Western Massachusetts native and started making oil paintings of the Pioneer River Valley at age eight. After studying painting and textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design, she spent many years as a textile designer. Her background as a designer and creative director in the apparel and home textile industry has refined her love of pattern and provided valuable skills for her creative process.

Public Art Works is a group of professional Rhode Island based artists working to promote art in public spaces. Inspired by a shared belief that art is essential for the common interests and well-being of the community, Nancy Gaucher-Thomas, Kenneth Speiser and Merle Mainelli Poulton have joined together in a collaborative effort to identify and/or create site specific works of art for public and private installation.

Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island has been a leader in hospice and palliative care for more than three decades and helps people live out the remaining time of their lives with as much comfort and dignity as possible. Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island offers comprehensive medical, emotional and spiritual care for people facing life-challenging illnesses. Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island is an independent, non-profit, Medicare- and Medicaid-certified organization fully licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Health and accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program.